the newer NBMEs

[AmoryBlaine]

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So I sent a couple of PMs but haven't got any resonses, figured I'd throw my question out to the world.

I took #2 before I started studying just to see where I was, did ok (around the mean).

Took #3 a few days ago to see where I stood halfway through my study schedule and crushed it. Now when I took this test I certainly hadn't "memorized FA" or even reviewed Micro or most of Pharm.

I am wondering how much I can extrapolate from this performance on #3. I have heard the #2 is the most difficult. Anyone who has taken both of them, or preferable taken #3 and then the real deal could you please chime in? Did anoyone who took multiple NBMEs after studying see large variances in their scores?

Thanks.

 

[ndspider]

I was thinking the same thing

 

[exmike]

So I sent a couple of PMs but haven't got any resonses, figured I'd throw my question out to the world.

I took #2 before I started studying just to see where I was, did ok (around the mean).

Took #3 a few days ago to see where I stood halfway through my study schedule and crushed it. Now when I took this test I certainly hadn't "memorized FA" or even reviewed Micro or most of Pharm.

I am wondering how much I can extrapolate from this performance on #3. I have heard the #2 is the most difficult. Anyone who has taken both of them, or preferable taken #3 and then the real deal could you please chime in? Did anoyone who took multiple NBMEs after studying see large variances in their scores?

Thanks.

I took form 3 and got crushed, but that was before lifting a single finger to study. I found form 1 much easier, but it was after sitting on my ass 12 hours a day for three weeks. What do you think?

 

[BDylan]

I took form 3 after 3 weeks of studying and am also curious as to its accuracy.

From what I've gathered in the past:
Form 1 - easiest
Form 2 - hardest (but higher score)
Form 3 - ? (I've heard good and bad)
Form 4 - a bunch of cell/molecular and immuno

Is this about right? Anyone else want to comment on form 3?

 

[lord_jeebus]

I took NBME3 yesterday but it was the first one I took so it's hard to comment.

I thought it was very straightforward, and emphasized critical reasoning. Much more so than QBank. I also found that my gut was very good at figuring out the answer when I had to guess (I looked up everything I had to guess on afterwards and got about 80% right).

I thought there was a good balance of all subjects. Nothing really stood out. There was enough anatomy to justify studying it beyond First Aid, assuming this test is representative of Step 1.

Perhaps I can comment more next week after I do #2 or #4 (haven't decided yet, probably #4 b/c it's newer).

 

[AmoryBlaine]

I took NBME3 yesterday but it was the first one I took so it's hard to comment.

I thought it was very straightforward, and emphasized critical reasoning. Much more so than QBank. I also found that my gut was very good at figuring out the answer when I had to guess (I looked up everything I had to guess on afterwards and got about 80% right).

I thought there was a good balance of all subjects. Nothing really stood out. There was enough anatomy to justify studying it beyond First Aid, assuming this test is representative of Step 1.

Perhaps I can comment more next week after I do #2 or #4 (haven't decided yet, probably #4 b/c it's newer).

Considering they are DIAGNOSTICS I am assuming that the sampling of questions is not necessarily representative. I am sticking with my plan of giving gross anatomy 1/2 of 1 day.

Any other thoughts? People who took 3 or 4 and then the real deal?

 

[ssm82]

I've done the three NBME's - and here was my opinion, although I'm sure people will differ:

All were taken after going through "hardcore" studying through First Aid

NBME 1 - very easy but the score's represent that

 

[ssm82]

I've done the three NBME's - and here was my opinion, although I'm sure people will differ:

All were taken after going through "hardcore" studying through First Aid

NBME 1 - very easy but the score's represent that - I think it was FA basically

NBME 2 - a lot harder, I actually started to get really frazzled during the test because there were so many questions I was unsure about. The score for me was about 15 points higher when you calculate it to real USMLE scores (and I would be thankful to the NBME lords above if I could get that score on the real deal)

NBME 4 - I though it was very random, not at all like Qbank or the first two tests.

So basically I think that it's important to take NBME 2 or 4 (don't know about 3) because taking a test where you're coasting through the answers is vert different from one where you have to think more, work through the answer choices, and may get flustered.

I also think that if you're weak at "guessing" at those tricky biochem/molecular bio questions, then worth through the NBME 4 slowly with some friends so you can share answers, rather than taking it as a diagnostic and it all being a blur.

 

[Kashue]

I've done the three NBME's - and here was my opinion, although I'm sure people will differ:

All were taken after going through "hardcore" studying through First Aid

NBME 1 - very easy but the score's represent that - I think it was FA basically

NBME 2 - a lot harder, I actually started to get really frazzled during the test because there were so many questions I was unsure about. The score for me was about 15 points higher when you calculate it to real USMLE scores (and I would be thankful to the NBME lords above if I could get that score on the real deal)

NBME 4 - I though it was very random, not at all like Qbank or the first two tests.

So basically I think that it's important to take NBME 2 or 4 (don't know about 3) because taking a test where you're coasting through the answers is vert different from one where you have to think more, work through the answer choices, and may get flustered.

I also think that if you're weak at "guessing" at those tricky biochem/molecular bio questions, then worth through the NBME 4 slowly with some friends so you can share answers, rather than taking it as a diagnostic and it all being a blur.

You did better on the NBME 2 then 1? But you thought NBME 1 was much easier?

Is that what you're saying? Sorry kinda confused to what you wrote. 😀 👍

I too thought the 1st NBME was very easy, but waiting to finish Goljian, Biochem, Anatomies, Micro before take NBME 2.

 

[ssm82]

You did better on the NBME 2 then 1? But you thought NBME 1 was much easier?

Is that what you're saying? Sorry kinda confused to what you wrote. 😀 👍

I too thought the 1st NBME was very easy, but waiting to finish Goljian, Biochem, Anatomies, Micro before take NBME 2.

I think they must have a different scale for each exam dependent on how others do. That is the only explanation I have and its the way my classmates have been saying happened to them too.

 

[Kashue]

I think they must have a different scale for each exam dependent on how others do. That is the only explanation I have and its the way my classmates have been saying happened to them too.

Ah gotcha ssm82. Thanks!

 

[BDylan]

Just for kicks, I took forms 3 and 4 in two consecutive days. I only dropped three points form form 3 to form 4, and after scrutinizing every answer choice and counting the ones I think I got wrong, I missed about the same number of questions in each form. So I guess they're pretty precise, here's hoping they're accurate.

Also, my average on each block of 50 questions was always better than my Qbank average, which I guess is further confirmation that Qbank is a ball buster.

 

[ssm82]

NBME 3 - Scored a few points higher than 2, which is good because consistency is what I'm looking for with a week to go... I think it's a good test to take. If people are looking to only take 2 tests, my vote would be NBME 2 and 3 because the questions are harder so it makes you "think" more...

Something kinda odd - didn't do that well on histo/cell bio - not that it's my strongest suit, but it was strikingly lower than the rest of the subj - did that happen to anyone else? I think it's time for me to pull out the high yields now....

 

[turkdlit]

NBME 3 - Scored a few points higher than 2, which is good because consistency is what I'm looking for with a week to go... I think it's a good test to take. If people are looking to only take 2 tests, my vote would be NBME 2 and 3 because the questions are harder so it makes you "think" more...

Something kinda odd - didn't do that well on histo/cell bio - not that it's my strongest suit, but it was strikingly lower than the rest of the subj - did that happen to anyone else? I think it's time for me to pull out the high yields now....

I actually got an asterisk for histo/cell bio on form 3 (took it today) when I thought I bombed those questions! Then when I figured I crushed pharm, it was strikingly lower than the rest of my subjects...ssm82, how did you feel about the pharm and how your score correlated?

 

[lord_jeebus]

Histo and cell biology was my weakest too, although I know it's not my strongest subject.

I asterisked anatomy though, which is weird b/c it's my weakest subject... 😕

 

[friedcfood]

anybody know how close NMBE is to the real thing? I took form 1 and thought it was nothing like qbank. How about qbank vs. the real thing?

 

[Mr. Whiskers]

Hi,
It seems from talking to people in our class that Form 1 and 2 are generally accurate predictors of actual score . Form 3 is more variable; it is reliable for some but for others is much lower than their actual score.
I took Form 2 pre-studying and barely passed. After studying 2 months, five days before the test I took Form 3 and didn't do much better. My actual score was much higher than (> 40 points) my Form 3 score. If you can do well on Form 3, I think you'll be fine on the real thing.

 

[prinz]

I took NBME form 1 one day before the exam and got a 186 on it. I failed the real thing 🙁

 

[ssm82]

I actually got an asterisk for histo/cell bio on form 3 (took it today) when I thought I bombed those questions! Then when I figured I crushed pharm, it was strikingly lower than the rest of my subjects...ssm82, how did you feel about the pharm and how your score correlated?

Yeah I had an astericks on pharm and the organ systems, which I expected since FA was fresh.... but I also got an atericks on anatomy/embryo, when I hadn't even gone through High Yield ... I don't think I'm going to really be able to take the breakdowns seriously.

 

[nrosigh]

When you say asterisks, do you mean "just an asterisk on the right" or do you mean "a bar with an asterisk on the right"?

Because I think "just an asterisk" means you got them all right, while "a bar with an asterisk on the right" means you got more right than average.

Yeah I had an astericks on pharm and the organ systems, which I expected since FA was fresh.... but I also got an atericks on anatomy/embryo, when I hadn't even gone through High Yield ... I don't think I'm going to really be able to take the breakdowns seriously.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

When you say asterisks, do you mean "just an asterisk on the right" or do you mean "a bar with an asterisk on the right"?

Because I think "just an asterisk" means you got them all right, while "a bar with an asterisk on the right" means you got more right than average.

Does it matter?

* = good thing.

 

[pathER]

Hi,
It seems from talking to people in our class that Form 1 and 2 are generally accurate predictors of actual score . Form 3 is more variable; it is reliable for some but for others is much lower than their actual score.
I took Form 2 pre-studying and barely passed. After studying 2 months, five days before the test I took Form 3 and didn't do much better. My actual score was much higher than (> 40 points) my Form 3 score. If you can do well on Form 3, I think you'll be fine on the real thing.

So you got like a 190 too on form 3 right????? Cause that's what I just got after a month of study. Now I'm scared cause I sure would like to get way better than that.

 

[Mr. Whiskers]

So you got like a 190 too on form 3 right????? Cause that's what I just got after a month of study. Now I'm scared cause I sure would like to get way better than that.

Hi pathER,
Yeah, I got only a 195 on form 3. I wouldn't worry too much about a low score on form 3 as long your Q-bank and released question percentages have been good. Keep studying hard and good luck to you.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Has anyone ever heard of someone getting lower on the actual thing than on form 3?

 

[lessismoe]

Has anyone ever heard of someone getting lower on the actual thing than on form 3?

I'm way confused after this thread because I got my best score on form 3 (well, only by 6 points, but still). I'm kind of discouraged because I dropped back down 6 points when I took form 4.

 

[BDylan]

I'm way confused after this thread because I got my best score on form 3 (well, only by 6 points, but still). I'm kind of discouraged because I dropped back down 6 points when I took form 4.

Don't worry about it, the same thing happened to me. I've only taken forms 3 and 4, did really well on form 3 and dropped three points on form 4.

 

[SurgeryRA]

Which NBME test should i take out of 2, 3, and 4? It seems like people are saying that 3 is too hard and not an accurate predictor...so form 2?

 

[ambientbaby]

I took NBME 1, and am planning on taking 2 a few days before the real thing and call it good. Thats my plan.

 

[freddydpt]

where do I get the NBME exams?
Thanks!
Fred

 

[lord_jeebus]

Which NBME test should i take out of 2, 3, and 4? It seems like people are saying that 3 is too hard and not an accurate predictor...so form 2?

I took the boards today, the only NBME I took was #3.

It thought it was very representative of my Step 1.

 

[ambientbaby]

where do I get the NBME exams?
Thanks!
Fred

https://external1.nbme.org/nsasweb/servlet/mesa_main

you have to login and shell out $45 per test (there are 4 of them).

 

[Gr42]

Hi,
It seems from talking to people in our class that Form 1 and 2 are generally accurate predictors of actual score . Form 3 is more variable; it is reliable for some but for others is much lower than their actual score.
I took Form 2 pre-studying and barely passed. After studying 2 months, five days before the test I took Form 3 and didn't do much better. My actual score was much higher than (> 40 points) my Form 3 score. If you can do well on Form 3, I think you'll be fine on the real thing.

40 points higher???

 

[zeloc]

If you do the untimed mode (I think its 4 hours per 50 questions?), do you still get a score report with a predicted score and your strong and weak areas?

 

[Kashue]

I've done the three NBME's - and here was my opinion, although I'm sure people will differ:

All were taken after going through "hardcore" studying through First Aid

NBME 1 - very easy but the score's represent that - I think it was FA basically

NBME 2 - a lot harder, I actually started to get really frazzled during the test because there were so many questions I was unsure about. The score for me was about 15 points higher when you calculate it to real USMLE scores (and I would be thankful to the NBME lords above if I could get that score on the real deal)

NBME 4 - I though it was very random, not at all like Qbank or the first two tests.

So basically I think that it's important to take NBME 2 or 4 (don't know about 3) because taking a test where you're coasting through the answers is vert different from one where you have to think more, work through the answer choices, and may get flustered.

I also think that if you're weak at "guessing" at those tricky biochem/molecular bio questions, then worth through the NBME 4 slowly with some friends so you can share answers, rather than taking it as a diagnostic and it all being a blur.

I actually went down on NBME 2 by 9 points. But I did well on NBME 1 so go figure. I think it was probably the fact that I was doing it at 12 am and was tired as **** and couldn't focus. Bleh, prolly will take NBME 3 to see my progress. I suggest everyone to take at least 2 nbme's to know your weaknesses. The 2nd nbme pointed stuff I was weak on that NBME 1 didn't.

 

[ambientbaby]

If you do the untimed mode (I think its 4 hours per 50 questions?), do you still get a score report with a predicted score and your strong and weak areas?

Yep.